If you recreate in very cold, very wet places, then a warm, comfortable mitt with a removable liner is an essential piece of a winter outdoor kit, and the Outdoor Research Mt. Baker Modular Mitts has an excellent reputation.

I got my first pair of Modular Mitts in high school (2005-2009). Then after a brief college fling with some Hestras that were stolen out of a Whistler parking lot (2010 to 2011), I returned to the Modular Mitts (2011-2012) before taking a several-year break to use the Mountain Equipment version of Modular Mitt.

But then like a long lost lover, I was sent the current iteration of the Modular Mitts, and have worn them over a third of the total days I’ve spent outside this winter. And the love affair has been rekindled.

David Steele in the Outdoor Research Mt. Baker Modular Mitt. (photo by Kevin Oberholser)

Fit

I tested a size Large, which fits my sausage fingers and wide palms quite nicely. The Mt. Baker Modular Mitts feel true to what I’ve experienced as a Large from other brands. I do recommend that you use the Outdoor Research sizing chart to sort out what works best for you. And the Modular Mitt is unisex sizing, so keep that in mind, ladies.

Shell

The details of the Baker Mod Mitts are outstanding. Unlike Goretex inserts that are often (more or less) like sewing a high-tech grocery bag into the middle layers of your mitten, the Baker Modular Mitts instead incorporate a burly, fully-taped 70D Gore-tex outer gauntlet that sheds wet snow and rain. Rubberized “Alpengrip” panels on the thumb and palm give you better grip on ski poles or ice tools, and stand up to some measure of belaying and sketchy ropework.

Liner

Inside the shell is the removable liner. And really, it’s a light glove all on its own. Primaloft One effectively keeps my hands warm, the velcro tabs works perfectly to keep the liner in the shell, and leather-like reinforcements on the digits and thumb mean you can still fat-finger out a text message in comfort.

Outdoor Research Mt. Baker Mod Mitt Liner

They also dry quickly, and it’s easy to pull them out for dexterity when the mitt shell is too much. Oh, and the liners are ridiculously red so that you won’t lose them.

Cinch System

Everything needed to adjust these mitts is accomplished by pulling, which makes them very easy to use. Putting them on: stuff your hands in, cinch the wrist strap, cinch the shell gauntlet, and proceed to slay pow. Taking them off: pull the ladder-lock cinch tab, and the gauntlet releases. Pull the plastic wrist buckle, and the strap eases.

This latest iteration of Baker Modular Mitts distinguishes itself from past versions with the addition of pull-on loops and a forward carabiner loop. I can hang them any damn way I please.Removable idiot cords are also an important

Removable idiot cords are also an important touch, because if you drop these off the lift, anyone who finds them (if they are smart) will not be returning them to you.

My 15 year old OR mittens purposefully have a bit of extra of fabric sewn in that seam between thumb and finger to protect it.
Why did they give it up? To expensive and not enough people cared I’m guessing?